David Moffett faces the Pontypool 'naysayers' as he plots WRU return

THE latest member of Pontypool RFC could never be accused of being afraid to, in rugby parlance, front up.

Former Welsh Rugby Union chief executive David Moffett was among the supporters left disappointed by the late postponement of Pooler's home Championship encounter with Llanharan.

"He must be here to finish us off," was the reaction of one wag to seeing the man who was at the helm at the inception of regional rugby mixing with the punters, players and officials that were sheltering from the rain.

But Moffett is one of them now – on Saturday he became a fully paid-up member of Pontypool.

He may not have kissed any babies but the 66-year-old did press a lot of flesh as he embarks on a bid to win election to the WRU board and settle the spat between the Union and the regions.

"The reason I came here today was to talk to all of the naysayers," he said while standing next to Pooler's internationals honours board.

"I don't expect people to pat me on the back, I expect them to be honest with me as I am with them.

"I want them to tell me what they don't like; the fact they didn't like about me and that they didn't like (the introduction of) regional rugby. I wanted to show my face because I don't run away from anything."

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The Pooler viewpoint appeared to be that while they might not agree with Moffett, at least he involved them in the debate and came to their patch to hear what supporters have to say.

He arrived back in Wales last Wednesday pledging to return to the corridors of power at the Millennium Stadium and sort out the mess surrounding funding and cross-border competitions.

It seems a long shot to say the least but Moffett doesn't appear to mind being the underdog.

"I am fed up with all of the almost annual discord in Welsh rugby," he said. "It is a disgrace and somebody has got to provide a different way of doing things.

"I think I can do that. At the moment I am outside the tent but I have come to see if I can get a board position and take it from there, because the way things are being managed – or should I say mismanaged – is no good for Welsh rugby or world rugby.

"I have every intention of getting back in and I don't give up. I am making a bit of noise and there are certain people scurrying around thinking that they might have to do things differently, so we'll see.

"I'd like to be on the inside because I think I could sort this in 10 days."

Moffett has written to all of the WRU's member clubs outlining how he intends to bring the Union and the regions together.

He said: "The WRU has all the control it wants apart from the players, that gate was shut in 1995 and the regions won't give it up because otherwise what have they got?

"However, there is a better way of doing it and I would work with the regions to get there because Welsh rugby cannot compete with France and England on its own because there isn't enough money.

"The Welsh Rugby Union, for whatever reason, has decided to pay off debt way, way faster than the deal I did with Barclays. They've accelerated the repayment and kept the game poor.

"Finally, you cannot have a company that expects all of the suppliers to take a risk and they take all of the reward. It doesn't work.

"The Union is saying we'll take all the reward and the regions and clubs – like Pontypool – take all the risk. That's not good enough and that needs to change.

"The only way to do that is with a transparent, honest, mutually respectful partnership, not the toxic partnership there is at the moment where nobody trusts anyone else and nobody will speak to anyone.

"It's got to stop and it's got to stop now."

But Moffett, who had a short spell as the chief executive of Regional Rugby Wales, certainly doesn't believe that Newport Gwent Dragons, the Scarlets, Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys are blameless.

"There has been unprecedented success at international level since 2003 thanks to the regions, benefactors and, most importantly, the players," he said. "There hasn't been the same success on the European club stage and the regions are at fault.

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"The future is regions but the whole issue of regionalisation has to be redefined – there should have been an evolution in the 10 years of regional rugby and that has not happened.

"Now we need to have a look at how it isn't working and turn it around. Can I do that? I have to be given the chance."

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Comments (10)

Lewis or Moffet? That's like a choice between toothache and haemorrhoids. Moffet would definitely change things though.

Lewis or Moffet? That's like a choice between toothache and haemorrhoids. Moffet would definitely change things though.silurix

Lewis or Moffet? That's like a choice between toothache and haemorrhoids. Moffet would definitely change things though.

Score: 7

Charles Street says...4:07pm Mon 20 Jan 14

Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'

Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'Charles Street

Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'

Score: -8

Mr Bump. says...4:53pm Mon 20 Jan 14

Good God, This man is a complete fool, just who does he think he is?

Good God, This man is a complete fool, just who does he think he is?Mr Bump.

Good God, This man is a complete fool, just who does he think he is?

Score: -6

gwentexiles says...5:55pm Mon 20 Jan 14

Charles Street wrote…

Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'

Yeah just like the thousands who signed the petition to have Newport in the name never realised they were expected to attend games as well, where did those thousands flock to? I think you will find it was the aniti-Gwent diatribe in Newport that started the name issue as if i recall correctly they were originally named the Gwent Dragons! If your looking for ghosts you better start looking around Newport first get yourself a copy of the petition to help you round them up.

[quote][p][bold]Charles Street[/bold] wrote:
Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'[/p][/quote]Yeah just like the thousands who signed the petition to have Newport in the name never realised they were expected to attend games as well, where did those thousands flock to? I think you will find it was the aniti-Gwent diatribe in Newport that started the name issue as if i recall correctly they were originally named the Gwent Dragons! If your looking for ghosts you better start looking around Newport first get yourself a copy of the petition to help you round them up.gwentexiles

Charles Street wrote…

Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'

Yeah just like the thousands who signed the petition to have Newport in the name never realised they were expected to attend games as well, where did those thousands flock to? I think you will find it was the aniti-Gwent diatribe in Newport that started the name issue as if i recall correctly they were originally named the Gwent Dragons! If your looking for ghosts you better start looking around Newport first get yourself a copy of the petition to help you round them up.

Score: 8

Cardiff Mission says...6:59pm Mon 20 Jan 14

Pontypool and Moffett. Seems a perfect pairing. Cause trouble and then disappear.

Pontypool and Moffett. Seems a perfect pairing. Cause trouble and then disappear.Cardiff Mission

Pontypool and Moffett. Seems a perfect pairing. Cause trouble and then disappear.

Score: -9

Euwan Usami says...9:28pm Mon 20 Jan 14

In fairness there has always been an identity issue with the regions. It's why they have not "Evolved" as Moffett says. During the inception of the Gwent Dragons they sold 26 season tickets. It's been well documented. No one wanted regional rugby and so we have never really had it. The Dragons average attendance if still 3 thousand lower than the days of "Newport RFC". You really think they would risk taking the "Newport" off the name again? I can't see it.

In fairness there has always been an identity issue with the regions. It's why they have not "Evolved" as Moffett says. During the inception of the Gwent Dragons they sold 26 season tickets. It's been well documented. No one wanted regional rugby and so we have never really had it. The Dragons average attendance if still 3 thousand lower than the days of "Newport RFC". You really think they would risk taking the "Newport" off the name again? I can't see it.Euwan Usami

In fairness there has always been an identity issue with the regions. It's why they have not "Evolved" as Moffett says. During the inception of the Gwent Dragons they sold 26 season tickets. It's been well documented. No one wanted regional rugby and so we have never really had it. The Dragons average attendance if still 3 thousand lower than the days of "Newport RFC". You really think they would risk taking the "Newport" off the name again? I can't see it.

Score: 3

kenny john says...10:16pm Mon 20 Jan 14

Its a bit late now for all this, as an Ebbw Vale supporter, I would love to go back to the old days playing all the top teams, full ground and great atmosphere in club after. Unfortunately times change, like football money is needed to run professional rugby. Newport is the city of Gwent and should be the focus of the Gwent team, the odd game away from RP wouldn't hurt build relations. Its ironic that in a season when the Dragons are moving forward, all this political nonsense has kicked off again.

Its a bit late now for all this, as an Ebbw Vale supporter, I would love to go back to the old days playing all the top teams, full ground and great atmosphere in club after. Unfortunately times change, like football money is needed to run professional rugby. Newport is the city of Gwent and should be the focus of the Gwent team, the odd game away from RP wouldn't hurt build relations. Its ironic that in a season when the Dragons are moving forward, all this political nonsense has kicked off again.kenny john

Its a bit late now for all this, as an Ebbw Vale supporter, I would love to go back to the old days playing all the top teams, full ground and great atmosphere in club after. Unfortunately times change, like football money is needed to run professional rugby. Newport is the city of Gwent and should be the focus of the Gwent team, the odd game away from RP wouldn't hurt build relations. Its ironic that in a season when the Dragons are moving forward, all this political nonsense has kicked off again.

Score: 5

Charles Street says...2:49am Tue 21 Jan 14

gwentexiles wrote…

Charles Street wrote…

Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'

Yeah just like the thousands who signed the petition to have Newport in the name never realised they were expected to attend games as well, where did those thousands flock to? I think you will find it was the aniti-Gwent diatribe in Newport that started the name issue as if i recall correctly they were originally named the Gwent Dragons! If your looking for ghosts you better start looking around Newport first get yourself a copy of the petition to help you round them up.

The Newport name was put back in for the simple reason they couldn't sell season tickets without it. It went into administration and effecetively had to be restarted once reality dawned. I signed the petion and went along once the name was added although the constant politics over what you should shout at games, colours of kit, identity etc has plagued it and put many like me off. The fact remains that in the 11 seasons since it was set up it has failed to match what was being achieved by the Newport RFC side that preceeded it and there's no escaping that. The Argus recently described it as a mishmash and that sums it up. Given all the challenges faced by professional rugby in Wales it was a serious error to tamper with a successful Newport identity and cause so much argument. But that's Welsh rugby for you, little clubs trying to get one over on their big neighbours.

[quote][p][bold]gwentexiles[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Charles Street[/bold] wrote: Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'[/p][/quote]Yeah just like the thousands who signed the petition to have Newport in the name never realised they were expected to attend games as well, where did those thousands flock to? I think you will find it was the aniti-Gwent diatribe in Newport that started the name issue as if i recall correctly they were originally named the Gwent Dragons! If your looking for ghosts you better start looking around Newport first get yourself a copy of the petition to help you round them up.[/p][/quote]The Newport name was put back in for the simple reason they couldn't sell season tickets without it. It went into administration and effecetively had to be restarted once reality dawned. I signed the petion and went along once the name was added although the constant politics over what you should shout at games, colours of kit, identity etc has plagued it and put many like me off. The fact remains that in the 11 seasons since it was set up it has failed to match what was being achieved by the Newport RFC side that preceeded it and there's no escaping that. The Argus recently described it as a mishmash and that sums it up. Given all the challenges faced by professional rugby in Wales it was a serious error to tamper with a successful Newport identity and cause so much argument. But that's Welsh rugby for you, little clubs trying to get one over on their big neighbours.Charles Street

gwentexiles wrote…

Charles Street wrote…

Any Pont in a storm. He probably got the usual anti-Newport diatribe in Pontypool about how if they removed Newport the great Satan from the name and played outside Rodney Parade thousands would flock to the region blah blah blah. They're not flocking anywhere else though, like club games on their doorsteps. I didn't belive in ghosts but I'm beginning to as there are apparently thousands in 'Gwent.'

Yeah just like the thousands who signed the petition to have Newport in the name never realised they were expected to attend games as well, where did those thousands flock to? I think you will find it was the aniti-Gwent diatribe in Newport that started the name issue as if i recall correctly they were originally named the Gwent Dragons! If your looking for ghosts you better start looking around Newport first get yourself a copy of the petition to help you round them up.

The Newport name was put back in for the simple reason they couldn't sell season tickets without it. It went into administration and effecetively had to be restarted once reality dawned. I signed the petion and went along once the name was added although the constant politics over what you should shout at games, colours of kit, identity etc has plagued it and put many like me off. The fact remains that in the 11 seasons since it was set up it has failed to match what was being achieved by the Newport RFC side that preceeded it and there's no escaping that. The Argus recently described it as a mishmash and that sums it up. Given all the challenges faced by professional rugby in Wales it was a serious error to tamper with a successful Newport identity and cause so much argument. But that's Welsh rugby for you, little clubs trying to get one over on their big neighbours.

It took off in Newport though, until all this Gwent politics wrecked it. It was even attracting more support from the wider Gwent area than the present set up! Still now everyone can share in the sub-mediocrity of the Dragons idea. Well done. It either has to be one thing or the other, either a complete regional entity, divorced from any Newport input funded by ALL the clubs in the region which pays its way for use of facilities like Rodney Parade etc or it has to be a professional Newport outfit as before. Only one of those options is practical and possible.

[quote][p][bold]pettsy[/bold] wrote:
Newport. Newport Newport. Blah blah. Blah...........no wonder regional rugby never took off in Gwent[/p][/quote]It took off in Newport though, until all this Gwent politics wrecked it. It was even attracting more support from the wider Gwent area than the present set up! Still now everyone can share in the sub-mediocrity of the Dragons idea. Well done.
It either has to be one thing or the other, either a complete regional entity, divorced from any Newport input funded by ALL the clubs in the region which pays its way for use of facilities like Rodney Parade etc or it has to be a professional Newport outfit as before. Only one of those options is practical and possible.Charles Street

It took off in Newport though, until all this Gwent politics wrecked it. It was even attracting more support from the wider Gwent area than the present set up! Still now everyone can share in the sub-mediocrity of the Dragons idea. Well done. It either has to be one thing or the other, either a complete regional entity, divorced from any Newport input funded by ALL the clubs in the region which pays its way for use of facilities like Rodney Parade etc or it has to be a professional Newport outfit as before. Only one of those options is practical and possible.

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